Toy aeroplane



J. O HOWARD.

TOY AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I9, 1919.

Patented June 20, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET I- LAQ, 1 94..

N VE N TOR Ina- M Q fi m/M 6 6M Z A TTORNE Y J. O. HOWARD,

TOY AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19,1

Patented June 20, 1912'...

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2f w hWE/VTOR 5904 Q firm/y ATTORNEY I JQSEIPH OMAR HOWMD, 0F EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pgmgnlgfl J 2Q 3922 Application filed. June 19, 1919. Serial No. 305,352.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH O. HowAnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston, county of Cook, State of Illinois,

have invented a certain new and useful lming had to the accompanying drawings,

which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to aeroplanes, and its object is to provide an aeroplane made of paper shaped to provide the desired design when folded and of a construction enabling the parts to be assembled with a minimum amount of. labor and; providing the necessary strength and stability for the purpose. A further object is to provide an aeroplane formed of paper or similar suitable material in which the plane may be secured to the body without use of glue or the like and in which the construction is of a character to prevent accidental displacement of the plane in ordinary use. A further object is to provide a construction for toy aeroplanes in which the fuselage or body and the rudder and elevating planes are formed integrally, the construction being such as to enable the rudders or elevating planes to be bent in various ways to vary the line of flight. A further object is to provide a construction that is simple in form and providing an aeroplane neat in appearance. These ob ects and several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and the preferred form of construction embodying my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an acroplane embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the fuselage, the plane being removed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe wing or plane.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the aeroplane showing an alternative form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

The device is preferably of the monoplane type and the fuselage or body 1 may be of any preferred design as is evidenced by the type and design shown 1n Fig. 1 and the alternative type shown in Fig. 4. In lblg. l the body shaped in form open on the upper side and, as shown in F 1g. 6, the alternative form is substantially triangular in cross section. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the 'side members of the body are notched as indicated at 2 along the upper edge near the for ward end of the body and a slit 3 is formed at the forward "edge and a .slit 4 at the rear side of the notch, and it is to be noted that the slits are so formed that the slit 3 is substantially higher than the slit 4 relative to the longitudinal axis of the device. The wing member shown at 5 is provided at the center of each longitudinal edge with slits 6 and 7 forming a tongue 8 therebetween. The slits 6 and 7 of the plane member are a distance apart equal to that of the side members of the fuselage and the slit 7 of the plane member engages the slit 3 of one of the sldes of the fuselage while the slit 6 of the plane member engages the similar slitted portion 3 of the other sidev of the fuselage so that this plane member is being .assembled with the fuselage, the end 9 of each side of the fuselage formed at the forward edge of the notch engages over the plane member on each side. It is also to be noted that, in

the formation of the tongue 8 and, by rea-' son of the shape of each longitudinal edge of the plane member, side tongues 10 and 11 are formed which lie on the outside surfaces of the side members of the fuselage. This construction securely holds the plane member in position without necessity of use of glue, the tongues 9 preventing vertical displacement of the plane under ordinary circumstances and the tongues 8, 10 and 11 preventing a transverse displacement of the planemember. It is also to be noted that the distance between the bottom of the slits 3 and 4 on each side of the members of the fuselage is less than the distance between the bottom of the slits 6 and 7 on one side of the plane to the bottom of the similar slits on the other side and thus the plane member is slightly curved by reason of this construction so that the said member is properly shaped and the desired angle of incidence is secured by forming the slits 3 at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the fuselage greater than that of the slits 4 and thus the entering edge of the planemember is the de sired distance higher than the trailing edge.

Preferably, the. fuselage or body tapers 1s preferably substantially V from the nose to the tail and is also preferably formed of a single piece folded in the desired manner. The elevating planes or horizontal rudders 12 and 13 are formed integrally ,with each of the sides of the fuselage and-forward of the terminal portion of the fuselage which is shaped to provide a rudder 14 of the required design. The elevating planes are reinformd by having a paper or fabric 51 secured to each plane 12 and 13 covering the line of bend at the point of attachment of each plane 12 and 13 to the fuselage. This rudder is formed by gluing the parts of the side members together at this point providing a rudder that is sufliciently thin and strong for the purpose. The rear end of the horizontal rudders extend backwardly from the point of connection of the rudders with the body and, by bending the rear edge thereof upward as indicated at 15, the plane maybe given an upward tendency when thrown in the air. These horizontal rudders may be bent in various ways to produce the necessary variation in line of flight as may also the vertical rudder member. The plane member 5 also may have the entering or trailing edge thereof at either end slightly bent upward or downward so that the aeroplane when projected may have an eccentric line of flight.

In aeroplanes of this character it is necessary to weight the forward end thereof to give the necessary balance and a convenient method of so weighting the end is to provide a sheet metal member 16 having lugs 17 on each side extending through notches provided therefor in the sides of the fuselage and bent back to secure the same in place as will be readily understood. This member may also have a downwardly projecting lug 18 extending beneath the body as shown clearly in Fig. 2 providing a means of throwing the aeroplane in the air through the use of a rubber band or the like. A convenient way of thus projecting the plane is to take an ordinary rubber band and stretch the same between the thumb and forefinger, catch the depending lug 18 over one or both the strands and, by pulling backward upon the tail member, the aeroplane may be projected upon release after the manner of an arrow from a bow. Considerable impetus may thus be given to the aeroplane but the aero plane may be projected in flight by casting the same by hand, it being possible as onebecomes expert in handling of the same to cause the device to simulate the ordinary flight of a commercial aeroplane.

The. necessity of weighting the forward endof the fuselage as mentioned heretofore, is occasioned through necessity ofproviding what I have termed a tractor element. In the commercial aeroplane the tractor is the propeller which draws the aeroplane forward through the air and, in such case, the center of gravity may be ator behind what is known as the center of lift of the plane members. In this present invention, even though the device may be cast into the air by hand or by use of a rubber band as suggested, the weight at the forward-end tends to cause the machine to sail properly due to the fact that the center of gravity is forward of the center of lift. By being thus forward of the center of lift, gravity acts upon the nose of the machine tending to cause it to fall at a descending angle. This causes the machine to accelerate in speed and the elevating planes being upturned at the rear edge as shown tends to hold the longitudinal axis in a horizontal plane. With a tgy of the character shown in the drawings if the center of gravity is positioned at or behind the center of lift, the toy will fall in a manner similar to a commercial aeroplane in falling out of control. With the center of gravity forward of the point of lift, as shown, the device continues in flight for a distance greater than the force applied would impel it due to this action of gravity upon the nose tending to cause it to pick up speed.

The success in operation and prolonged flight of my device depends very largely upon this feature ofits construction in conjunction with the position of the sustaining plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the device and the upturned elevating plane.

To protect the nose member and prevent injury to the forward end of the fuselage, I provide what I have termed a landing gear 19 which is merely a folded slip of paper one end of which is secured to the nose member by the sheet metal weight '16, the looped end extending downward and backward from the nose as will be understood from Fig. 2. This provides a flexible member that breaks the force of the fall of the aeroplane in striking a surface. In the construction shown in Fig. 4, a slightly different type of body is shown, and a difierent method of weighting the body at the forward end, but the principles involved, particularly as relates to the plane member and the construction of the elevating planes and rudder and guide, are similar to the construction shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. l the tongues 21 and 22 is formed. practically centrally of the entering and trailing edges i respectively of the plane member and in the formation of the tongues the plane member is slitted on each side as indicated at 23 and 24 to extend each side of the body member, the construction being the same at the forward and back edge of the plane. The body member in this instance being triangular in form has the upper surface thereof provided with a slit 25 near the forward end and a slit 26 toward the rear end, the disiii) 'neaonea 0 tance between the slits being somewhat less than the distance between the bottom of the transverse slits 23 and 24 formed in the longitudinal edges of the plane member. This bows the plane slightly when in assembled relation with the body as in the first instance described and, by tapering the body from the front to the rear, the slit 26 relative to the longitudinal axis of the plane is a less distance therefrom than the forward slit 25 which gives the plane the necessary angle of incidence.

The vertical and horizontal rudders are preferably formed integrally with the body member as in the first instance described as such integral construction enables the parts to be cut by means of a die and avoids the necessity of attaching the rudder members to the body by means of glue or otherwise and thus lessening the cost of construction and providing a construction that is of sufficient strength and a minimum liability of distortion or displacement of the parts by ordinary usage of the device.

It is evident that the objects of the invention are obtained in a body construction of either type herein described, and it is to be understood that the body design may vary materially without departing from the spirit of this invention, the principal features being the general mode of securing the plane member to the body and integral construction of the rudders. In the instance shown in Fig. 5 the bod by the insertion o a wood or cork member indicated by dotted lines 27 at the forward end and a thumb tack or the like indicated at 28 may be inserted into this weight member through the wall of the body which secures the weight in place. Also in this instance the landing gear 29 is preferably formed of a looped slip of paper inserted in the forward end of the fuselage between the paper and the block 27, it being secured in lace by the tack and necessity of gluing t e same in position thus avoided. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a toy aeroplane, a fuselage formed of paper and a plane member adapted to be assembled therewith, the plane member having each longitudinal edge at the center provided with a pair of transverse slits providing a tongue therebetween, the fuselage being adapted to receive the tongues with the adjacent edges of the plane engaging oppositesides of the body at the front and.

rear edges.

2. In a toy aeroplane, a fuselage formed of paper, and a plane member, the plane member having each longitudinal edge at the center provided with a pair of transverse slits providing a tongue therebetween, the fuselage being adapted to receive the tongues and the edges of the plane adjacent is preferably weighted the tongues engaging opposite sides of the body in each case, the construction being such that the lane member in being assembled is curfiid transversely and the entering edge positioned slightly above that of the trailing edge relative to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage.

3. In a toy aeroplane, a body formed of paper having a weighted forward end, vertical and horizontal rudders at the rear, a plane member secured thereto, and a landing gear formed of a loop of paper secured to the forward end and extending below and backward beneath the forward end of the body.

a. In a toy aeroplane, a body formed of paper having a weighted forward end, a paper loop attached to the forward end and extending downward and backward beneath the said forward end, and horizontal rudders formed integral with the body member having the rear edges free from the body permitting the same to be bent to various angles. 7

5. In a toy aeroplane, a body formed of paper having a weighted forward end, a plane member extending transversely thereofand a landing gear formed of a looped piece of paper attached to the forward end, the loop end extending downward and backward beneath the said forward end providing a cushioning device to absorb the landing shock.

6. In a toy aeroplane, a body formed of paper having a weighted forward end and vertical and horizontal rudders at the rear end, a plane member extending transversely of the body between the said ends and nearer the forward end, the plane member being provided with transverse slits along the forward and rear longitudinal edges providing a tongue at both said edges adapted for insertion in the fuselage, the edges of the plane on opposite sides of each tongue being adapted to engage opposite sides of the fuselage in each case.

7. In a toy aeroplane, a fuselage and a plane member adapted to be assembled therewith, the plane member having a tongue provided at the center of each longitudinal edge, the fuselage being adapted to receive the tongues, the arrangement being such as to .hold the plane member from lateral displacement and in slightly bowed form with the forward edge a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the body than the rear edge of the plane.

8. In a toy aeroplane, a fuselage formed of paper or the like, an aerofoil provided with a tongue on each longitudinal edge at the center, the fuselage being adapted to receive the tongues, the construction bein such that the aerofoil in being assemble is curved transversely and the entering edge positioned slightly above that of the trailof the fuselage, an elevating lift.

FIE

9; In a toy aeroplane, a fuselage of-V shaped form in cross section, a plane member positioned transversely thereof, the fuselage and plane member being so constructedas to hold the plane member in curved form,

in cross section with the enterin edge a greater distance above the'longitu inal axis than the trailing edge, the plane member being formed with a tongue spacing the sides ofthe fuselage to hold the same in V form, and an inte al' horizontal and vertical rudder forme at the tail of the fuselage, the horizontal rudder being positioned at an upward angle to the longitudinal axis tending to'depress the tail of the device in flight. In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

JOSEPH OMAR HOWARD, 

